LEE COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION Southern Base of the Research Triangle Region NEWS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Monday, November 25, 2002 Contacts: Bob Heuts, Director Jane Haber, Administrative Assistant 919-774-8439 (phone) 919-775-5410 (fax) info@lcedc.com (e-mail) Media Web: http://www.lcedc.com/media/ This release: http://www.lcedc.com/media/releases/nr112502.txt Static Control: http://www.scc-inc.com Award citation: http://triangle.bizjournals.com/triangle/stories/2002/11/25/focus1.html NCEITA web site: http://www.nceita.org STATIC CONTROL COMPONENTS NAMED ELECTRONICS COMPANY OF THE YEAR BY STATE TECHNOLOGY TRADE GROUP SANFORD -- Static Control Components Inc. has been named Electronics Company of the Year by the North Carolina Electronics and Information Technologies Association, a statewide trade association based in Raleigh. The award was announced late Thursday at the association's annual awards banquet in the Research Triangle Park and announced publicly in a special report published as part of Friday's edition of The (Triangle) Business Journal. According to the published citation, Static Control has become a model for manufacturing in an industry facing fierce overseas competition. The association noted that Static Control had built an in-house automation team, allowing the company to become as efficient as possible. "The result: SCC's sales have nearly doubled in four years and the work force has remained stable at about 1,100," the award citation reads. "That led NCEITA to honor the firm with its Electronics Company of the Year Award." Two years ago, Static Control received the same award, which recognizes the year's best in innovation, excellence and leadership in North Carolina's information technology industry. Other awards presented each year recognize the state's top companies in different technology sectors, some companies for special achievements and a few individuals for their contributions to advancing technology. Company president Ed Swartz said he was honored to be selected once again as the state's top electronics company, but that the award was not something his staff achieved on its own. "This really is a community award," explained Bill Manning, manufacturing manager for Static Control. "Something like this can only happen when a lot of people are working together. It takes every one of our 1,100 associates who work for Static Control and all of the local officials who help the company flourish. We view this as an award for all of Sanford and Lee County." Static Control is no stranger to recognition. In recent years, the Sanford-based company has received several accolades -- including the 1998 Entrepreneurial Company of the Year Governor's Award, 1998 Governor's Award for World Trade Success and 2000 Electronics Company of the Year by the North Carolina Electronic and Information Technology Association. "Everyone at Static Control should be proud of this accomplishment. There's no doubt the company has worked hard to remain on the cutting edge of its industry," said Bob Heuts, director of the Lee County Economic Development Corp. "We also appreciate the way Static Control has invested in the local community," he said, "providing plenty of jobs over the years and enhancing sections of town with expansion and renovation projects. This community is a better place because of Static Control." NCEITA, the award sponsor, was founded in 1993 as the primary voice for North Carolina's information technology industry. It works to help the industry prosper across the entire state, promote a better understanding of technology and lobby state officials on technology policy. Its five service areas include education, government affairs, economic development, industry promotion, and programs and special events. Named for its 21 award categories, the NCEITA 21 Awards program began in 1995 and present the oldest and most prestigious awards given in North Carolina's information technology industry. -- 30 --